Course overview
This course will explore the nature of ethnic cleansing and genocide and seek to discover the common historical, political and sociological threads that unite these tragedies. Students will analyse and discuss a series of case studies including, among others: the near extermination of First Nations people by colonisers of the New World, the Armenian genocide, the man-made famine in Ukraine, the Holocaust, the displacement of peoples in the aftermath of the Second World War in Europe and Africa, and the case of ethnic cleansing and genocide during the wars of Yugoslav succession.
Course learning outcomes
- An understanding of the causes, nature and consequences of ethnic cleansing and genocide in modern history
- An ability to distinguish between different historical interpretations and different cultural perspectives
- Enhanced skills in research, synthesis, organisation and presentation of information
- Enhanced problem solving skills
- Familiarisation with the research skills necessary for working with primary sources
- An ability to work independently
- An ability to work cooperatively
- An ability to evaluate arguments
- Enhanced oral communication skills
- An awareness of the role of historians in determining the dominant perceptions of the past and the way these impact on the present